Unions call for a rise of €30 a week

Private sector unions are to lodge immediate claims for a rise of €30 a week for low-paid workers after the collapse of the national pay talks last weekend.

The claim on employers will be lodged on behalf of one million workers who earn less than the average industrial wage of €38,000.

Leading the charge for more money in pay packets will be the private sector committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen is still hoping the collapsed pay talks can be reconvened at the end of August or early in September.

Brendan McGinty of the Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC) stressed yesterday that many firms simply could not afford the increases in the current economic climate. The business group has signalled it would be keen to re-open talks to head off threatened industrial action by various unions.

Unions say that with rising inflation at 5%, higher fuels for transport and home heating, coupled with rising food costs, their members are now looking for a rise immediately.

Private sector unions say that for workers earning above €38,000 they will be seeking at least 5% to match inflation — but may seek more in profitable businesses such as the banking sector.

They will also be seeking improved working conditions, including additional holidays.

Siptu president Jack O’Connor stressed unions were not engaged in a “phoney war” and that as far as they were concerned 21 years of social partnership on pay was at an end.

However, he said they would deal reasonably with companies that engaged constructively with their claims.

Mandate confirmed it would be calling for the €30 a week rise for its members working in retail, many who are paid €10 an hour, just above the minimum wage.

The final offer on the table last weekend, which led to the collapse of pay talks, was a six-month pay pause, followed by a 2.5% pay increase for six months and a further 2.5% for nine months.

Article courtesy of The Evening Echo newspaper